Candle Causes Herndon House Fire

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department

News Release 11-104
Date: December 19, 2011

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units responded to a house
fire Sunday, December 18, 2011, at approximately 6:05 a.m., in the
Herndon area of Fairfax County. The single-family home is located at
13102 Anvil Place.

Firefighters encountered fire and smoke coming from the rear of the
two-story home upon arrival. Firefighters conducted an aggressive fire
attack and brought the fire under control in approximately 10 minutes.
Smoke alarms activated, allowing the occupants to escape the burning
home. The fire originated in an upstairs bedroom. Three adult occupants
and several pets have been displaced. One occupant received a non-life
threatening injury and was treated at the scene by paramedics. Red Cross
support was declined by the occupants.

Damage is estimated at $135,000.

According to fire investigators, the fire was accidental. An unattended
candle in an upstairs bedroom caused the fire.

Candle Safety Tips

Do not place candles near combustible materials.

Place candles in glass or ceramic containers.

Place candles on a flat, sturdy surface.

Never leave children unattended in a room with an open flame candle.

Do not place candles on window ledges or near entryways. The potential air draft can “fan” the flame, catching curtains or other materials on fire.

Do keep burning candles within sight at all times. Candles can present fire hazards outdoors on decks and patios as well as inside your home.

Always extinguish candles before leaving the home.

Place all candles on a protected, heat resistant, dry surface away from anything that can catch fire and out of the reach of children and pets.

For more information, call Daniel L. Schmidt or Captain I Randal Bittinger,
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, 703-246-3801 and TTY: 711.
Duty PIO (Weekends/After-hours): 703-877-3702
Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all county programs,
services and activities. Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request.
4100 Chain Bridge Road
Fairfax, VA 22030fire-rescue.PA-LSEAfairfaxcounty.gov